Lookouts Open Homestand with Win

The Chattanooga Lookouts end Birmingham's hot streak when the Lookouts overcame the Barons 7-4.

It didn't take long for the Lookouts to get a good lead on the Barons when the combo of Rafael Ynoa, Joc Pederson, and Yasiel Puig all scored giving Chattanooga an early 3-0 lead over Birmingham.

"To come home, jump on them early, make some good swings I think everyone relaxed a little bit and that set the tone for the night," Lookouts manager Jody Reed said.

Both Ynoa, and Pederson started the night off with singles that put them on first and second. Ynoa and Pederson took advantage of a wild pitch and advanced to second and third. Puig took advantage of the situation and hit a line drive single to left field and brought in Ynoa. Putting Pederson on third and himself on second when he beat a throw.

After sacrifice hits from both Blake Smith and C.J. Retherford, both Pederson and Puig made it home giving the Lookouts the early lead.

To keep their lead, Chattanooga put Zach Lee on the mound who carried the Lookouts for 6 innings scoreless innings against the Barons.

"His location was really good with the fastball," Reed said about Lee's performance. "He was attacking hitters. Real efficient with his pitches. What can you say? It was a heck of a night for him. This is his third consecutive solid outing. He's really pitching well right now."

Lee showed his arm against Birmingham when he stopped the Barons with three up three down frames in four of the six innings he pitched.

The Lookouts didn't get anything else going offensively until the sixth inning when C.J. Retherford tripled by hitting a ball against the back centerfield wall which brought in Blake Smith from first who had been walked just moments before.

After a pitching change by the Barons, Chris Jacobs singled to centerfield, which game Retherford the chance to score and make the game 5-0.

Birmingham fought back in the seventh when they scored four runs against the Lookouts. However, Chattanooga kept the momentum going when Pederson tripled after a single from Ynoa, bringing Ynoa in for the run.

An error by Birmingham's catcher allowed Pederson to score after he tried to catch Puig stealing second, giving Chattanooga a 7-4 lead over the Barons.

The Lookouts have four more games against Birmingham at home to complete the series.